Ambassador Evgeny Goussarov, the first Russian Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa in the post-apartheid era, has been awarded The Order of Good Hope, Class 11: Grand Officer(Silver), by President Nelson Mandela, for his meritorious service during his tour of duty in South Africa.
The South African Ambassador to Russia, Mr Sipho Makana, will bestow the award on Ambassador Goussarov at a ceremony in the House of Friendship (Dom Druzhba) in Moscow on 24 March 1999. Since leaving South Africa in 1998, Ambassador Goussarov has been appointed Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Goussarov took an active interest in South African affairs and laid the foundation for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Order of Good Hope is the highest award with which South Africa honours citizens of other countries who have, through their personal efforts, contributed towards the well-being of the people of South Africa and who thereby deserve the respect and recognition of the Republic of South Africa. In terms of section 82(1)(e) of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, The Order is available for award in five classes which include:
Class 1: Grand Cross (Gold)for Heads of State and in special cases to Heads of Government,
Class 11: Grand Officer (Silver) for Heads of Government and other Ministers of State, Supreme Court Judges, Presidents of Legislative Bodies, Secretaries of State, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Commanders in Chief of Armed Forces, other functionaries and persons of comparable rank and station according to the rules and practices of each country, who have promoted the interests of the Republic through outstanding meritorious service.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
24 MARCH 1999